Carla Olive August 1, 2025

Carla Olive is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and dynamic live performer whose musical journey has spanned genres, decades, and continents. The youngest of six children, Carla grew up on a farm outside of Grande Prairie, Alberta, where she began playing piano at the age of six. Trained in the Royal Conservatory method, she started accompanying church services by age 12 and writing songs soon after.

At 14, she began performing her original music during services, teaching melodies to singers and improvising meditative pieces. Driven by an early passion to perform, Carla bought her first guitar at 18 and landed her debut gig at Soul Tattoo in Calgary's Inglewood district after just three months of playing.

She released her first independent album 'Bliss' at 21, touring Alberta's churches and coffeehouses, followed by 'Smokey Haze' at 23, which led to a solo tour from Calgary to California. Her versatility led her to collaborate with The Kristen Daniel Band based in Kamloops, touring Northern Canada and the U.S. and eventually living in Nashville performing daily on Broadway.

In 2003, she co-released 'One' with then-husband and musical partner Chris Rawlyck, before founding the heavy rock project 'Tabitha', releasing a self-titled album in 2007 and performing at showcases including the Van’s Warped Tour (2008). Her guitar chops were further honed as lead guitarist in the all-female classic rock band 'The Rebel Ritas' and in 'Hashmagandy', a roots band that evolved from backing artist Toni Vere.

Carla also nurtured Calgary's music scene by hosting the popular Singer-Songwriter Open Mic at Café Koi for seven years. In 2013, she released Black Tie Affair (supported by a Rawlco grant and produced by Greg Godovitz of GODDO), toured Western Canada, and formed the band Bad Neighbor to bring her originals into mainstream venues.

Her musical path has even crossed the rails—performing as the VIA Rail “Artist on Board” across Canada on numerous occasions.

Since moving to Victoria in 2016, Carla has continued to evolve her artistry. When she first landed, she started a weekly open mic hosted by Ma Millar's Pub for nearly 5 years, fostering the Singer/Songwriter scene. She launched a new 'Carla Olive Trio' and released a self-titled EP in 2017, followed by the 'Love Called' EP in 2024. She also founded 'St. Cecilia', an all-female tribute to women in music, which enjoys a weekly residency at the Bard & Banker. Passionate about Women in Music, Carla is curator and host of The Indie YYC Women in Music platform on FB/IG showcasing female Singer/Songwriters.

Beyond performance, Carla created a meditative YouTube series titled Notes & Nature, featuring original instrumental compositions recorded in her home studio. The series pairs her soothing music with images and video she captured while exploring the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. https://www.youtube.com/@NotesNatureMeditative

Today, Carla performs solo using a loop station to layer harmonies and instrumental textures in real time and with St. Cecilia and The Carla Olive Trio as manager and lead guitarist. She also teaches piano and guitar and works as a music agent/media manager for a local pub—continuing to inspire and build community wherever music takes her.

Carla’s appreciation for the emotional and healing power of music was nurtured early through meaningful experiences—accompanying her Aunt, an accomplished pianist, while performing in seniors' homes. These moments deeply shaped her understanding of how music connects to the soul, mind, and body. That understanding would deepen further during her time filling in for a music therapist at a school for disabled children—an experience she found humbling, inspiring, and unforgettable.

Growing up in a house shared with older siblings, Carla was immersed in many different genres of music from heavy metal and classic rock like Cheap Trick, Metallica and Queen to Classic Country like Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. That early exposure left an imprint: metal music still runs through her veins with the story of country music, influencing her energy and intensity, even as her classical training lends a pop-leaning sensibility to her songwriting. A life-changing moment came the first time she heard Tom Petty—an experience she describes as “religious,” and the instant she knew she needed to make music like that!